Mississippi State baseball adds Purdue transfer, All-Big Ten pitcher Khal Stephen

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball bolstered its offseason haul with the addition of Purdue transfer Khal Stephen who announced his commitment via social media on Monday. Stephen − a right-handed pitcher out of Williamsport, Indiana – spent two seasons with the Boilermakers and was a third team All-Big Ten selection in 2023.

Stephen arrived at Purdue in 2022 and made 23 appearances out of the bullpen. He struck out 38 hitters in 33.2 innings but finished with an 8.29 ERA.

As a sophomore, he jumped into a starting spot. Stephen went 7-4 in 14 starts with a 5.21 ERA – 23^rd in the Big Ten. He struck out 66 hitters and walked 30 in 76 innings.

Stephen is the third pitcher coach Chris Lemonis has added via the portal this offseason. Division II left-handed pitcher Nate Lamb committed on May 28. Karson Ligon, a former right-handed pitcher at Miami, committed on July 12.

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Mississippi State is coming off back-to-back years with no postseason appearance following a national title in 2021. The Bulldogs finished last in the SEC with a 7.01 ERA and fired pitching coach Scott Foxhall on May 1.

Justin Parker, an Indiana native, was hired as Foxhall’s replacement on June 19. Lemonis also holds ties to the state as he coached Indiana from 2015-18 before coming to MSU. Stephen is the second Indiana native on MSU's roster − joining pitcher and former Ball State transfer Nate Dohm.

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State baseball: Chris Lemonis adds Purdue's Khal Stephen